TMI Application for Writing Matters or Voices and Choices

The Office of Instructional Technology is proud to announce its support of Teaching Matters’ web-based curricula and professional development series designed for middle schools. For a preview of these two programs go to http://www.writingmatters.org or http://www.teachingmatters.org/social_studies.htm

The OIT and TMI have secured partial funding to offer this matching grant opportunity to all our iTeach/iLearn schools. Schools that take part in this three-way match will be responsible for a payment of $6,676 to Teaching Matters which represents a savings of more than $10,500!

In order to qualify for this additional support, please complete the following questions and email your responses to jcondliffe@teachingmatters.org with “iTiL Matching Grant” in the subject line. The email must come from the account of your building principal.

The deadline for response is Friday, November 9th at 5 PM. Confirmation will be made by Teaching Matters by November 14th, 2007.

School Information
School Name: IS 93
School DBN: 24Q093
School Phone: 718-821-4882
Grades Served: 6-8

Principal Name: Edward Santos
Principal Phone: 718-821-4882
Principal Email: esantos3@schools.nyc.gov
Tech Coach Name: Gina Ceparano
Tech Coach Phone: 718-821-4882
Tech Coach Email: gceparano@schools.nyc.gov


Application

1. What literacy curriculum does your school currently implement? (If “Balanced Literacy”, please explain how your program works.)
IS 93 strongly believes that reading & writing go hand-in-hand. All classrooms strive to integrate them into instruction daily via the Americas Choice Balanced Literacy Model. Classes are divided into 90 minute blocks that allow for connected reading & writing lessons. In addition, students are targeted based on need and separated into guided reading/writing groups.



2. What are the most common challenges in teaching writing/social studies in your school?

The most common challenge we face in teaching writing is appropriately scaffolding writing techniques to fit all student’s needs. It is imperative that teachers learn how to incorporate a variety of strategies for responding to the curriculum. In addition, writing in content areas other than ELA can be intimidating for teachers as well as students. Finding the balance between grabbing their interest and teaching skills is always a struggle when creating writing craft lessons.


3. Briefly explain at least one way your school currently integrates technology with core instruction.
IS 93 is fortunate to be an iTeach/iLearn school. This has given us the opportunity to incorporate technology into the classroom. We have extremely innovative teachers who have stopped at nothing to create hands-on, content rich lessons. Technology has made it more accessible to differentiate instruction. For example, ELA classes may use an interactive short mystery story to sharpen reading comprehension and prediction skills. Also, instead of verbally giving a book talk, students construct podcasts that are posted on their class website. This serves as a continuous resource for other students. In addition, resources such as United Streaming, Brainpop, Google Docs, eChalk, and other interactive resources are integrated into content lessons daily


4. Please indicate school progress in achieving the professional development goals of the iTeach/iLearn initiative.
The staff at I.S. 93 has taken great strides to meet the professional development goals of the iTeach/iLearn initiative. We are clearly committed and devoted to the initiative as the benefits have been astonishing. I.S. 93 has held numerous trainings in house and continues to work cooperatively with other iTeach/iLearn schools to provide preeminent training.


5. List names of literacy or social studies teachers and coaches (up to five) who will participate in this project if your school receives this award. For coaches, write “C” for grade.

Name Grade Email
1. Adam Levine 8 alevine15@schools.nyc.gov

2. Ann Valentin 8 avalentin@schools.nyc.gov

3. Nate Dechongkit "C" adechong@schools.nyc.gov

4. Erin Hamilton ehamilton ehailton3@schools.nyc.gov

5. Joe Nicolosi jnicolosi@schools.nyc.gov

6. Please indicate what TMI package you would like to bring to your school.
Response to Literature
Constitution Today
Civil Rights



  • NB: The full-day teacher institute is an essential feature of the program and your participation requires that teachers be available to attend. The Institute for Response to Literature will be held on November 29th at Teaching Matters. The Institute for Voices and Choices will be held on either January 9th or 10th.

  • Costs associated with hiring substitute teachers will be absorbed by the school.


Principal Sign-off

If my school is accepted into the program, I will arrange for teachers to attend the full-day professional development institute that precedes implementation and will cover the costs involved. I understand that the onsite professional development that teachers are provided will be at no cost to the school.

Principal Sign-off
Sending this application under the school principal's email account confirms that I understand that if my school is accepted into the program, I will arrange for teachers to attend the full-day professional development institute that precedes implementation and will cover the costs involved. I understand that the onsite professional development that teachers are provided will be at no cost to the school.

Thank you for your interest.

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Submission Directions
This application must be completed and emailed from the building principal’s email account with the subject “iTiL Grant” to jcondliffe@teachingmatters.org by Friday, November 9th at 5 PM.

Contact Jane Condliffe if you have questions concerning the program or the application itself.

Contact Information:
Email: jcondliffe@teachingmatters.org Phone: 212-870-3505